The best of Turkey in one brilliant film

This is one video that’ll get you packing for Turkey right away. Italian filmmaker and photographer Leonardo Dalessandri’s Watchtower of Turkey takes you on a stunning journey across Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Konya, through a myriad of moments and memories. The video tells a riveting story of the country using shots of its people, culture, architecture and some breathtaking landscapes.

It took Dalessandri 23 days and 3,500km to complete this film. The 30-year-old combined the effects of timelapse, hyperlapse and motion shots, using over 280 different images in the 3½-minute video. Nominated for the Best of Vimeo 2014, the video has clocked 3.1 million views since its upload in October 2014. Watch it with the volume on, though: the voiceover by Moroccan artist Meryem Aboulouafa takes the video to another level.

Another must-see by Dalessandri is his Watchtower of Morocco. If you’re tempted to book a trip after viewing it, our recommendation would be to stay in a traditional riad and use this guide while navigating Marrakech’s myriad bazaars.